Sunday, December 16, 2012

Memory Keepers...

In the end I called this book "Memory Keepers". It seemed a fitting title as within each envelope is a little artwork that captures some of my memories from our recent trip to NZ.

As I have mentioned previously I struggled with taking this work forward.  The theme and ideas were elusive - always just out of reach, slipping out of my visual field as soon as I thought I had sensed a response. In the end I really felt the need to build a coherent story, for me, and to try and bring the visually different, tho companionable and complementary, envelopes into a whole that was satisfying.


I promised myself I would think about what to do with the book whilst we were away. Our first night in Auckland we got to our room and it had a beautiful number on it and I thought I'll "photograph that and keep a record of all the numbers" with no real plan to link it to the book.  As I lay in bed that night I tried to work out how many places we were staying and how that matched up to envelopes, and I discovered that we were staying in 11 towns. We had 13 envelopes so I thought perhaps I could top and tail the trip with home, and use numbers as a theme. I had a plan.

I have never worked with numbers before and enjoyed them. I thought of all the different ways I could present them - braille, Roman numerals, morse code, sticks etc and was totally getting into it.  Each place we visited I recorded our room number and tried to note down the things I recalled or that had an impact. I figured this would all make sense when I got home.

Friday a week or so ago was the day I had to pull it all together and make 17 artworks.  I had decided we stayed in Auckland three nights, so I would pop three pieces into that envelope; two pieces went into Dunedin's and Queenstown's envelopes as well, covering the two nights we spent in each of those towns, hence 17.


601 appears twice - home is where we began and where we returned to.


The most significant and constant theme of our trip for me was rocks and pebbles so I knew I needed to incorporate these throughout the artworks.



As is often the case I start out one way and stop myself when I realise that it's not going to work. I tossed out the idea of using a variety of numbering styles and just chose to use my metal type numbers, somehow. I wasn't sure how I would use them but I decided I would!

Transparent envelopes reflect mistiness or fog, a bookmark might remind me there was absolutely nothing to do there but read, whilst delicate paper reminded me of the fragility of healing after earthquakes. It wasn't until I was halfway thru that I worked out I needed to add words, because I am a word person.




I hadn't planned to do much to the outside of the envelopes - but in the end I decided to unify them with a metal type number and am so glad I did! Practical too - if the artworks come detached from their envelope; they can be put back together.

Barry and I chatted about them when I was almost done and I said I was thinking about running a little journey line along the back flap of the envelope - again to unify - and he suggested I put 13 dots on the line, one each for the places I reflected on, and then hint at which one this envelope related to. So I did and I love that bit too.


In the end it is a very personal travel memoir, yet I think it offers the viewer a chance to enjoy the journey as well.

33 comments:

  1. Wow. This is really beautiful! They invite you to look inside.

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    1. Thanks Eric - there is a definite sense of anticipation and expectation as you hold them - waiting to discover what lies within, and being wonderfully surprised!

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  2. Beautiful completive work -a joy to follow

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    1. Thanks Rosie - in the end it was a joy to make; but it felt tougher at the beginning. I'm glad you enjoyed following along. Go well.

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  3. These look fantastic, as do Susan's.

    I suppose that BAO is as close to this type of interactive/collaborative project as possible over the internet and I've enjoyed that but I do envy you having a like minded arty friend living close enough to come
    over and play. That proximity has generated some beautiful ideas.

    Looking forward to seeing the next one

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    1. Thank you Jac - I think we are both beginning to realise how lucky we are. Not only that we like each other's work; but the manner in which we support each other and encourage each other, stretch each other and how in the end, the works sit together so comfortably. Each individual and of their maker; yet harmonious with the other. I feel very fortunate indeed. I think its possible to do different on line collaborations - but must admit, the sitting together, playing, chatting and holding the work is pretty good!

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  4. I loved this post (and the various hints/teases that came before it)...so many beautiful details to discover and explore - such a rich work. And I love hearing about the process and what was on your mind as you both considered and executed the project. There's something to be said for a piece of art with no explanation whatsoever - the viewer can make of it what she/he will - but, given a choice, I always prefer to know what was on an artist's mind. Thank you for giving us such an intimate glimpse into your process...

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    1. Thanks Lisa - I think we both like following the process! It has been a real delight to unfurl and unfold this work as we went along - so many ah-ha moments, so many dead ends. I like the chance to see work without words, and then enjoy the stories and the glimpses into the artists' world that they offer. Go well.

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  5. Exquisite. Just exquisite. From the idea of envelopes, to the simple yet meaningful reminders of your trip. The dotted journey line on the outside and the use of your metal numbers....ah...I could go on and on.

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    1. Wow - that's a beautiful word, thank you. I'm so glad you enjoyed the various elements and the way it works together. One day you should come visit it!

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    2. Trust me, one day I will come visit it! The girls need to be a bit older first. Do you Skype, by any chance?

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  6. A beautiful process and a beautiful result! I feel enriched by this work, what a pity I can't see it in person.

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    1. Ersi thank you for your kind words. It's wonderful how work can reach out across the world; but a tad frustrating when it tantalises and we can't actually get to be with it! Still, I'm so glad I can share with you thru the wonders of the interweb.

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  7. maybe the way it came about, very organically, is why it looks so successful! really, sometimes when we're directionless, but we trust and forge on, it DOES work. HUZZAH!

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    1. Words of wisdom V. I think you might be right - the forging on, checking, seeing, re-doing all seems to be the best way of discovering just what it is you are trying to do. Go well.

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  8. So much visual inspiration in these, Fiona. I love the variations in textures and surfaces. I'm especially fond of #2, beautiful...

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    1. Thanks Valerianna - it was at times challenging to bring all the textures and surfaces together, but it came together pretty well in the end. Go well.

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  9. Lovely work and so beautifully detailed.
    Thank you for sharing it and for explaining the thought process and its development!

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    1. Thank you Anna - I'm glad you enjoyed the product and the process.

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  10. I'm in awe of what you've done, Fiona. It's perfect in every way!

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    1. Thank you Connie - that's just lovely. I'm so glad you enjoyed it!

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  11. I read everyone's comments and realize how much luckier I was than they, to be able to have the joy of opening all those precious memories and having that lovely close up experience of them. Just beautiful Fiona. And contemplative. x

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    1. So true Susan - these really are books where the revealing and unlayering, unpacking are a really large part of the experience. I was taken aback by how mysterious the process was...

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  12. I love the idea that you have based this on a personal journey, Fiona - a beautiful piece.

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    1. Thanks Helen - I seem to move between personal journey, symbolic journey and sometimes historic journey. Each one offers different things, but they all seem to tell a story which is what matters most to me I think. This one is exceedingly simple, almost basic in its undertaking, but doesn't necessarily seem it in a way. Hmm I'll stop now!

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  13. Beauty contained. Really, I am without words...

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    1. Leslie - how very special and precious. Thank you, I really appreciate your words.

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  14. Perfect. I love the finished product and am so glad you shared some of your process - it helps me find the questions I need to ask myself as I work through a project. Each detail is so subtle yet complements the whole - a treasure book for sure!

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    1. Thanks Terrie. I find myself talking to myself a lot and definitely asking myself many questions as I go along. Sometimes I find the answers...I'm glad you think the whole book comes together well.

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  15. So beautiful, Fiona, and what a delight to share this journey with you. Thank you.

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    1. Thanks so much Carol - it's good to share journeys...Go well

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  16. Giving the project space to develop has worked out well, Fiona. I love your idea of using the pebbles (stepping stones), numbers and holiday memories together.

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  17. Thanks Robyn - sometimes leaving the space is what is needed isn't it? Letting the work come into being, without forcing something to emerge. I'm glad you think the bibs and bobs have worked together.

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I appreciate your thoughts and comments; thanks for taking the time.